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Arrivals and Departures: An Etheric Tribute to Block Island
Seven linked, character-driven paranormal tales set on Block Island, Rhode Island. The characters experience the forces of life-energy that passes from spiritual realms into the ordinary person.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2020
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8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 19, 2022
A theme of reincarnation weaves through ‘’Arrivals and Depatures,’' a collection of interconnected stores set amidst the haunting beauty of Block Island, RI. Block Island in this book serves as a sort of spiritual touchstone. The author’s profound feel for the mysteries of synchronicity and reincarnation gently and unobtrusively inhabit each story and follow the characters along their paths of discovery and resolution, even enlightenment. A few grammatical trouble spots not withstanding, ‘’Arrivals and Departures’' is a refreshing, hopeful, uplifting experience at this time on the planet.
December 8, 2020
Fun, unique read
I spent a month on Block Island many years ago and these stories brought me back there. The style of the book is unique in that its several separate but interconnected stories all taking place on the island. There is also a supernatural theme running through the stories that is both fun and makes you think. I enjoyed taking my time and reading a story here and there and pulling up a map of Block Island and Googling pictures of the sights. The only thing I needed to make it better was to have map/pictures included!
I spent a month on Block Island many years ago and these stories brought me back there. The style of the book is unique in that its several separate but interconnected stories all taking place on the island. There is also a supernatural theme running through the stories that is both fun and makes you think. I enjoyed taking my time and reading a story here and there and pulling up a map of Block Island and Googling pictures of the sights. The only thing I needed to make it better was to have map/pictures included!
May 23, 2023
Excellent Speculative Novellas and Short Stories
I labored over the decision about whether to rate this book 4 or 5 stars. Each story commanded my full attention which can be a challenge in these busy times.
I found the title to be a perfect fit for the collection.
Penders has an excellent grip of character development and unique plot structures, and the prose was that kind that serves the story so that you don’t even notice the writing but simply carry along with the action.I enjoyed in the story “Magnetic North“ there was a time loop element. I’m a bit of a sucker for time loops. If you know, you know.
The title story was the stand out piece in the collection and reminded me of the Matt Damon film, HEREAFTER.
Throughout the stories there is also a recurring theme that reminded me of the novel WHAT DREAMS MAY COME by Richard Matheson.
What ultimately held me back from rating the collection 5 stars was the book cover, by far the weakest element as it was hard to determine what I was looking at and gave me no sense of what I would find inside.
My only other critical comment is that several of the stories ended too happily for my personal taste. I think many readers will enjoy the high-octane optimism that infuses this collection as a whole.
I can't wait to snap up the next book Penders releases.
I labored over the decision about whether to rate this book 4 or 5 stars. Each story commanded my full attention which can be a challenge in these busy times.
I found the title to be a perfect fit for the collection.
Penders has an excellent grip of character development and unique plot structures, and the prose was that kind that serves the story so that you don’t even notice the writing but simply carry along with the action.I enjoyed in the story “Magnetic North“ there was a time loop element. I’m a bit of a sucker for time loops. If you know, you know.
The title story was the stand out piece in the collection and reminded me of the Matt Damon film, HEREAFTER.
Throughout the stories there is also a recurring theme that reminded me of the novel WHAT DREAMS MAY COME by Richard Matheson.
What ultimately held me back from rating the collection 5 stars was the book cover, by far the weakest element as it was hard to determine what I was looking at and gave me no sense of what I would find inside.
My only other critical comment is that several of the stories ended too happily for my personal taste. I think many readers will enjoy the high-octane optimism that infuses this collection as a whole.
I can't wait to snap up the next book Penders releases.
February 17, 2021
I think the only thing that would have made this book better would be if I'd actually been to Block Island before reading it. Oh and a map would have been helpful! (okay, maybe two things).
This book is definitely a love letter to Block Island, in a great way. It makes you want to go and visit all the places that were mentioned in the various stories. I also really liked the past lives/life after death themes of this short story collection (especially the story Together). Plus, you really got to know a lot of the characters, because many characters showed up in many of the different stories.
Overall, 5 stars. It would be a good re-read if I ever make it to Block Island!
This book is definitely a love letter to Block Island, in a great way. It makes you want to go and visit all the places that were mentioned in the various stories. I also really liked the past lives/life after death themes of this short story collection (especially the story Together). Plus, you really got to know a lot of the characters, because many characters showed up in many of the different stories.
Overall, 5 stars. It would be a good re-read if I ever make it to Block Island!
March 16, 2025
It's a DNF for me. Needed a little bit of a refresh before I'm forced to go through the huge amount of science fiction thrillers in my to-be read pile. And I'm just really, really done with thrillers right now, so hey, contemporary fiction that promises to be a quiet unwind with lofty prose and...is that a foreword?
Introduction to the inspiration without letting it speak for itself never sits well with me. And when it itself doesn't sell the evocativeness of the locale, it's not a good start already. I do expect more from contemporary short stories. It's supposed to be a bunch of gentle connections across an island that has its own magical charm. What I got was banal smiling (page 21 repeats "smile" "smiled" "smiles" or "smiling" 6 times) that I'm convinced that the only thing magical about this place is the staples in the staple gun used to plaster everyone's grins. The head hopping, the repetition. Every action is described. Let's go look at the boulder. Look at the boulder. Stare at the boulder. Be one with the boulder. The book is 250ish pages and could be cut in half just due to redundancies and how much telling it does. The self-insert author/publicists characters (please, writers, stop doing this) never inspire joy in me.
I wanted something magical. Instead, I ended up smiling maniacally as my sanity slipped into the void.
Introduction to the inspiration without letting it speak for itself never sits well with me. And when it itself doesn't sell the evocativeness of the locale, it's not a good start already. I do expect more from contemporary short stories. It's supposed to be a bunch of gentle connections across an island that has its own magical charm. What I got was banal smiling (page 21 repeats "smile" "smiled" "smiles" or "smiling" 6 times) that I'm convinced that the only thing magical about this place is the staples in the staple gun used to plaster everyone's grins. The head hopping, the repetition. Every action is described. Let's go look at the boulder. Look at the boulder. Stare at the boulder. Be one with the boulder. The book is 250ish pages and could be cut in half just due to redundancies and how much telling it does. The self-insert author/publicists characters (please, writers, stop doing this) never inspire joy in me.
I wanted something magical. Instead, I ended up smiling maniacally as my sanity slipped into the void.
July 13, 2023
I arrived on Block Island yesterday and of course, had to take my copy of Arrivals and Departures with me. I love how this book is a collection of short stories all referencing this magical island. I've been coming here since I was a teenager and it never gets old. I love reading a book and being able to identify places that I've experienced first hand. I appreciate the spiritual elements weaved throughout the stories and it resonated even more when my taxi driver informed me that my hotel room was haunted. Arrivals and Departures is the perfect summer read. Get your copy today and "Rock the Block."
October 3, 2022
I’m not a short story lover, but I did enjoy this book. Being new to Connecticut, I found the stories fascinating.
December 26, 2021
Arrivals and Departures is a well written and haunting trek around New England’s Block Island. These short stories by Mr. Penders explore various aspects of life while weaving them into the very fabric and sands of Block Island.
The writers descriptions of the island with all its streets, hotels and restaurants makes you feel like you know the island even if you have never set foot on it.
This was a very enjoyable read with both wonderful characters, as well as the mysteries of the island. I recommend it to those who love New England, but also for those that would like to visit.
The writers descriptions of the island with all its streets, hotels and restaurants makes you feel like you know the island even if you have never set foot on it.
This was a very enjoyable read with both wonderful characters, as well as the mysteries of the island. I recommend it to those who love New England, but also for those that would like to visit.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews